Skaia (52 page)

“
Listen carefully, and obey me,” Thaddeus said, pausing until Skaia’s gaze met his. “I do not want anyone to know what you did last night. Is that clear? Tell no one why you were punished. Not even Gotus.”

When Skaia seemed to phase out, his eyes going almost blank, Thaddeus shook him, and quickly covered the boy’s mouth as he screamed. “Listen to me,” he pressed sternly, “you must tell no one what happened. Say you understand.”

Skaia’s eyes filled with tears. He forced himself to listen, to understand what was being demanded of him. He nodded, and when Thaddeus removed his hand, he answered, in a voice that was almost breaking, “Yes, sir. No one must know.”

Thaddeus nodded, a slight smile turning up the corners of his mouth. “I will take the blame for this. Everyone in the household already thinks I’ve lost my mind. You are not to disabuse them of this notion. Is that absolutely clear?”

That you’re insane? I would never disagree.
“Yes, sir.”

Content, Thaddeus went about preparing for his day, and only watched when Aulus and Gotus appeared, pulling Skaia up and helping him away.

With Thaddeus’ permission, of course, Castor had Skaia moved to the same small storeroom where he had worked with Carden so many years before. Aulus was released from all other duties to care for him, and Thaddeus had specifically requested that Gotus be with the boy when not with his father.

For several days Skaia was in agony, even with Aulus applying the numbing ointment a number of times throughout the day.

Just as Skaia felt the pain was easing off, Gotus insisted he had to begin stretching—to ensure the abused flesh did not set and effectively freeze in place. Skaia begged him. “Please, Gotus. It still hurts to move. Please don’t make me do this. Not yet.”

Gotus shook his head. “You know you would regret that later, Skaia, if you could not move at all.” He looked at Aulus. “I’m not sure it will help, but mix some of the numbing ointment in with the massage oil.”

As Aulus made up the mixture, Gotus pulled away the thin cloth that covered Skaia’s back. “You look better,” he said softly. “All the cuts are healing and the… the swelling is going down.”

“
Swelling?” Skaia questioned uncertainly. “What swelling?”

“
I don’t know how to explain it, Skaia…”

“
I do,” Aulus interrupted angrily. “Thaddeus beat you with something flat—as hard as he could, and…”

“
Hush, Aulus,” Gotus hissed, turning around to stare at the door for a moment, making certain no one had overheard their talk. “Don’t be so careless. We were told not to speak of this.”

Aulus met Gotus’ eyes, silently acknowledging the reprimand before he turned to Skaia. “What did you do, Skaia, to make the master so angry?”

Skaia cringed, and groaned in both mental and physical pain.

Gotus took the opportunity to jerk the oil from Aulus’ hands. “Be quiet. Do not get Skaia in more trouble!”

As the days passed, the pain lessened. First, Skaia could sit unassisted. Then he could stand on his own. And finally, he managed to walk without aid.

Castor came to see him after that. “You are doing very well Skaia. Aulus and Gotus have done a fine job of caring for you.”

“
Yes, sir. I know.”

Castor lowered his voice. “Thaddeus is very sorry he lost his temper. Do you know that, too?” he asked solemnly.

“
You mean, I must forgive him?”

Castor sighed and shook his head. “Glaucus failed to teach you many things you needed to know, Skaia. Perhaps I have failed you as well.”

For a moment, Skaia was speechless. Then he pulled himself up straighter, in spite of his lingering pain. “Do you think I have learned it all now, sir?”

“
Not if you still don’t realize there is nothing to forgive,” Castor replied sternly. Then he softened his demeanor, and spoke more kindly. “I want you to bathe now, get into fresh clothing, and then come to eat with us in the kitchen. Tomorrow, you will return to your master.”

Thaddeus was already up and seated at his desk, clothed only in his favorite robe, when Skaia entered his rooms the next morning. He looked up immediately and, setting aside the papers in his hands, he took in the boy’s appearance. Thinner, dark circles still under his eyes. His head was lowered appropriately enough in submission, but even as Skaia froze before him, obviously startled by his scrutiny, Thaddeus could still sense the boy’s anger.

He was both relieved and… irritated by it. “Prepare the hot water,” he ordered abruptly. “I need to wash.”

Skaia turned without question to do as he was ordered. He didn’t stumble, nor did his arms falter, as he carried the heavy bucket of water and prepared the washbowl. But Thaddeus detected the almost imperceptible tremors in his legs, and noticed that he did not move with his usual grace and confidence.

Following behind him, Thaddeus shrugged out of his robe as he approached the washstand. “Remove your tunic, Skaia. I want to see your back.” The slave’s head jerked up and, for just a moment, Thaddeus could clearly see his fear. “It’s alright, Skaia,” he said softly. “I really do just want to see your back. I won’t hurt you.”

As soon as the tunic was above Skaia’s shoulders, and the still evident marks of his beating were revealed, Thaddeus reached out quickly to pull the garment back down. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I shouldn’t have asked.”

“
It’s… I feel better, sir,” Skaia murmured as he re-tied the belt around his waist. “And… and Castor says the bruising will fade more.”

“
Good.” Thaddeus washed his face and hands before looking at Skaia again. “Help me get dressed. We have to talk.”

Seated upright on one of the couches, he invited Skaia to pull a bench closer and sit with him. “I know that you still don’t understand what you’ve done, Skaia. And I know you’re still annoyed with me. But there are more important things to deal with at the moment.”

Skaia was still very suspicious of anything Thaddeus might say, but he lifted his head and looked directly into his master’s eyes. “What… what’s wrong, sir?” he asked quietly.

Thaddeus’ eyes brightened as he started the tale. “My father has been ill, Skaia. Unable to keep his food down. He’s weak. He even has difficulty walking.” For a moment Thaddeus looked down, as if pained by speaking the words. “I did not tell him of what happened—of what you did. NO,” he added quickly at the look on Skaia’s face, “not because I was wrong to punish you. I have absolutely no doubt father would have agreed with me.”

“
Then why?” Skaia asked, allowing some of his bitterness to creep into his voice. “No one seems to know what I did. Why haven’t you told them?”

Thaddeus shook his head, angry at Skaia’s continued stubbornness. “Shut up, unless you want to be whipped again!” He forced himself to take a deep calming breath before continuing. “My father is too ill to deal with such things—your damned stupidity, or your punishment!” Thaddeus deliberately lowered his voice. “I haven’t told anyone else for fear my father would find out. He hasn’t forgotten you. He has inquired about your absence. And now that he’s out of bed again, he almost insists on your service. Since I have been loath to tell him the truth… I haven’t known what to tell him.”

It took Skaia only a moment to take in how upset Thaddeus was—and the seriousness of the situation. If Paulinus was so ill, then Thaddeus was right. What had happened to him was not important. “I’m sorry, sir,” he said quietly. “I will do anything I can for Master Paulinus. I… I’m not fit for a whole day, sir, but I could spend time with him.”

Thaddeus’ expression cleared somewhat. “Thank you, Skaia. After you’ve cleaned in here, I want you to work in the garden with Gotus,” he instructed. “Make sure my father sees you, but not closely. As soon as you’re sure he’s noticed you, come back here.”

“
Is it really so bad, sir?” Skaia asked, suddenly frightened for Paulinus. “Can I do anything else?”

Thaddeus studied Skaia’s face. “If you can rest all afternoon, do you think you could serve at dinner tonight? It will just be father and me. He would be reassured to see you up and about.”

“
Yes, Master,” Skaia answered without hesitation. “Whatever you need of me.”

Thaddeus was glad to see that much capitulation from the boy. He hadn’t been sure he would receive it.